End closure of film packages



Oct. 24, W87

END CLOSURE OF FILM PACKAGES 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed April 6, 1964 0XEli/DELL Li Srenrrou QXEL.

SreArroM, Jfe.

INVENTORS.

BY am y 744% flrromlevs.

END CLOSURE OF FILM PACKAGES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 6, 1964Srenrrou, J2.

L m A INVENTORS.

Oct. 24, 1967 M. ROLAND ETAL END CLOSURE OF FILM PACKAGES 4 Sheets-Sheet5 Filed April 6, 1964 Oct 1-967 'iva. ROLAND END CLOSURE OF FILMPACKAGES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 6, 1964 0x awn/0 A/ELA. Li;.Srenrrou .QXEA,

United States Patent Tex.

Filed Apr. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 357,355 2 Claims. (Cl. 53-138) Thisinvention relates generally to closing of packages, and moreparticularly concerns improvements in method and apparatus forprocessing packages of the type comprising a flexible wrap containing afiller.

In the past, packages have been closed by collapsing bands about wrapsgathered at package ends. For example, so-called chub packaging involvesthe use of equipment operating to collapse a metallic band or clip abouta film wrap to block release of the pack contents, the latter typicallyconsisting of a flowable filler material such as sausage, dog food andthe like. However, the subsequent handling of packages of this typefrequently leads to inadvertent release of the contents, particularly atthe band closed end or ends. It is found that forces accompanying suchhandling tend to create internal pressures in the flowable filler, andthat these pressures can effect sufficient expansion of the collapsedband or clip at the package end to permit oozing of the filler andconsequent spoilage or necessary rejection of the pack. Thus,inadvertent dropping or other impacting of the pack can loosen the bandsufliciently to result in exposure or pressure release of the filler tothe exterior.

It is a major object of the present invention to provide apparatus andmethod for processing packages of the above type and characterized asresulting in a package which overcomes the problems of inadvertentrelease or exposure of the package contents. In its method aspects theinvention basically involves the step of imposing a constraint to becarried by the package and acting on the band to block expansion thereofduring package handling. As will be seen, this step is preferablycarried out by deforming a retainer such as a cap enclosing the bandouter periphery, the cap collapsing about the band to confine it againstexpansion through transmission of force between theband and cap, placingthe latter in hoop tension. As will be seen, the cap is first placedover the banded terminal of the package wrap, and cap deformation may becontinued until the band is increasingly collapsed about the packagewrap terminal to be blocked against expansion. Additional steps includeapplication of a sealant to seal off the capped wrap terminal, andcarrying out cap deformation to squeeze and tension the wrap portionbetween the band and the main body of the package.

In its broader apparatus aspects, the invention contemplates theprovision of means including jaw structure movable relative to a seriesof packages being processed for imposing sequentially supplied bandconstraints to act on the bands of sucessive packages blocking expansionthereof during package handling with the imposed constraints carried bythe packages, together with means to sequentially supply the constraintsto the first means. Typically the jaw structure and jaw actuatorstructure are operable in predetermined timed relation to movement ofthe cap supply means and in repeated cycles each characterized byinitial reception of a cap at the jaw structure followed by insertion ofa wrap terminal portion and its band within the cap recess anddeformation of the cap to confine the band against expansion duringpackage handling. As will be seen, the cap supply means may have a firstposition in which a cap is releasably retained between the jaw structureand the banded end of the pack age wrap for pick-up by the jaw structureduring advancement thereof, the cap supply means also having a retractedposition in which the jaw structure is advanced relative to the packagefor effecting cap deformation about the band.

Other objects and advantages of the novel and unusual apparatus includethe provision of a carrier for the jaw structure with the jaw actuatorincluding a tubular rnem ber receiving the carrier for axial movement ofthe carrier and member relatively forwardly toward the banded end of thepackage to elfect insertion of the bandin the cap, followed by relativemovement of the member and carrier to transmit jaw squeezing forcetherebetween for effecting cap deformation about the band; the provisionof a stop located so as to limit jaw forward movement when the insertionis completed, there being a cam to transmit said jaw squeezing force inresponse to continued forward movement of the carrier followingcompletion of theband in cap insertion; spring fingers on the carrierfor urging thejaw structure outwardly to receive the cap therebetweenduring forward travel of the carrier; a cap magazine and mechanism tofeed caps in series sequence from the magazinefor pick-up supply to thejaw structure, and response to movement of the cap supply means betweenadvanced and retracted positions.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as thedetails of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understoodfrom the following detailed description of. the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1' is a side elevation of the apparatus taken in sectionto show thejaw structure retracted and the cap supply means advanced, therebypresenting a cap with its recess facing the package wrap bandedterminal;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation showing a package having opposite banded endsto be capped;

, FIG. 3 is an enlarged section taken on lines 3-3 of FIG. 2; l

FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 1, but showing the jaw structure fullyadvancedto cap the banded end of the package wrap, the cap'supply meansbeing fully retracted;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation showing the completed package after endcapping;

FIG.; 6 is' an'enlar'ged section taken on line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation taken in section throughthe. jaw structure and cap supply means, with the latter in advancedposition;

FIG. 8 is a View like FIG. 7, but showing the cap supply means inpartially retracted position;

FIG. 9 is a view like FIG. 7, but showing the cap supply means in-fullyretracted position, and the jaw structure in fully advanced positionrelative to the end sealed package;

FIG. 10 is a view taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 7;

FIG; 11 is an, enlarged fragmentary section taken in .elevationvtobetter illustrate the cap deforming step;

FIG. 12 is a view like FIG. 11 but'showing the manner in which capdeformation may be carried out to tension the package'wrap; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic showing of an automatic control 'for' the-processactuators;

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the elongated package includes a wrapper 11covering the filler 12 which may typically but not necessarily comprisesausage, dog food or the like, any filler being contemplated so long asit is fiowable in response to external force application to the package.The wrap 10 may typically comprise a shrinkable or non-shrinkableplastic film, and it is gathered at opposite end regions 13 of thepackage for closure by a band 14 collapsed about the terminal portion 15of the wrapper. Typical films include polypropylene and those having thetrade names Mylar and Saran. The band or clip 14 is preferably metallicand is collapsed sufficiently to hold the gathered terminal portion 15of the wrapper in tightly compressed condition. For this purpose, theband may have a C-shape with the terminals 16 thereof collapsed closelytoward one another. Other type bands are contemplated, as for examplemetallic wire, and bands having circular or non-circular shape, with orwithout overlapping ends. It is to be noted that suflicient internalpressure generated in the filler and transmitted internally of thewrapper terminal portion 15 may effect expansion of the C-shaped band orclip to permit oozing or other release of the filler unless bandexpansion is prevented.

In accordance with the invention, means such as a constraint is providedor imposed to be retained on and to extend about the collapsed band forblocking expansion thereof, in order to prevent exposure or release ofthe filler. One such means is shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 11 to comprise ametallic cap in the form of a receptacle 17 sized to receive the filmterminal portion protruding at 18 through the band 14. The receptaclehas .an inlet 19 into which the film terminal portion and the band arereceivable, and it also has a closed end 20 for completely confining thefilm terminal portion. A skirt 21 on the receptacle is seen in FIGS. 5,6 and 11 to be deformed inwardly into tight engagement with the band atthe clamping locations 22 spaced about the band. Such deformation of theskirt is preferably carried out by dimpling the band at the locations 22during assembly of the package components. Thus, for example, as seen inFIG. 9 the receptacle. is initially sized to loosely receive the band asthe receptacle is placed over the terminal protruding portion 18 of thefilm wrap. Thereafter, the apparatus to be described squeezes thereceptacle skirt 21 at the dimple locations 22 to effect a tightclamping of the receptacle on the band for retention thereon to preventband expansion. In this regard, the permanent deformation of thereceptacle at the dimple locations cold strengthens the receptacle,which may for example be made of aluminum, so as to prevent bandexpansion.

Receptacle 17 is shown to have an end flange 24 which is turned in orderto present its convex side toward the gathered end portion 13 of thewrapper 11. As a result, the rim 25 of the flange does not come intotearing contact with the wrapper during assembly of the cap over theband.

Turning now to FIG. 12, a band capping means in the form of a receptacle26 is shown to be retained on the band 27 of the same type .aspreviously indicated at 14, the receptacle 26 having a closed end 28 anda skirt 29, these confining the protruding portion 30 of the packagewrapper 31. The gathered end portion 32 thereof is squeezed inwardly bythe outwardly flanged annular end portion 33 of the receptacle 26, andin spaced relation to the band 27. In the absence of such squeezing, thewrapper end portion 32 would in general flare outwardly and loosely atthe broken line location 34, it being the purpose of the FIG. 12 form tomaintain the main extent of the film 31 in tensioned condition at theperiphery of the package, i.e., to eliminate wrap looseness orwrinkling. The latter may result from the wrapper filling processwherein for example the filler may be heated suificiently to result inthe formation of steam or other gas pockets within the wrapper, andwhich condense to leave voids within the package. As a result of endsqueezing of the 4 package in the manner referred to above, the voidsmay be eliminated and the film, as for example Mylar, will be tensionedproperly about the package. At the same time, of course, receptacle 26is retained on the band 27 in the same manner as described above inconnection with FIGS. 5, 6 and 11, in order to prevent band expansion.

Comparison of FIG. 3 with FIG. 6 shows that the band is furthercompressed about the wrap at 15 in response to clamping of the cappingmeans 17 thereon, the band terminals 16 typically being closer togetherin FIG. 6 than in FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 also shows a sealant 36 as confined within the capping means toseal off against the film terminal portion 18 protruding through theband. The sealant may for example comprise paraffin, wax, an elastomeror an adhesive for hermetically sealing the package end, confinement ofthe sealant within the capping receptacle protecting it from injury ordestruction.

Referring again to FIG. 1 and also to FIG. 7, the apparatus forprocessing a series of packages 11 comprises means including jawstructure generally indicated at 40 movable relative to the packages 11for imposing sequentially supplied band constraints such as the caps 17to act on the bands 14 of successive packages, blocking expansion of thebands during package handling with the imposing caps then carried by thepackages. Typically, a series of jaws 41 are spaced about the axis 42 ofjaw movement relatively toward the wrapper terminal portions 15. In thisregard, the packages 10 are sequentially supplied to the position shownin FIG. 1 and supported with the banded ends thereof presented forprocessing. A pressure pad is shown at 43 as pressing downward on thepackage 10 to hold it in supported position on a table 44. A rod isindicated at 44a for manually or automatically exerting pressure on thepad 43.

The above referred to means movable relative to the packages forapplying the caps 17 typically includes a carrier 45 for the jawstructure, the carrier having a tubular cylindrical body 46 and springfingers 47 projecting from the body to support the inwardly turned jaws.As will appear, the spring fingers are operable to urge the jawsoutwardly to the position shown in FIG. 1 to receive the cap between thejaws as better seen in FIG. 8, and during forward axial movement of thejaw structure.

The above referred to means movable relative to the packages forimposing the band caps also typically includes jaw actuator structuregenerally indicated at 48, and including a tubular member 49 receivingthe carrier 45 for axial movement of the carrier and member 49relatively forwardly toward the banded end of the package to effectinsertion of said end within a cap 17, as for example is seen in FIG. 9.Reception of the carrier by the actuator structure is also characterizedby relative movement of the member 49 and carrier 45 acting to transmitjaw squeezing force therebetween for effecting cap deformation orsqueezing about and onto the band 14, as is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and11. Such relative movement of the carrier and actuator structure may forexample be effected by arresting jaw structure forward movement at astop 50, forward travel of the actuator then continuing until a stop pin51 projecting transversely through the tubular member 49 and through thecarrier body 46 engages the stop surface 52 of the arrested carrier andjaw structure. FIG. 1 shows the pin 51 extending through a transverseslot 53 in the carrier body, the axial dimension of the slot beingsomewhat greater than the forward dimension of the pin in the directionof the axis 42 to provide the desired or predetermined over travel ofthe actuator relative to the jaw carrier.

. The means movable relative to the packages may also include a cam totransmit jaw squeezing force between the actuator 4 Sand the jawstructure for effecting deformation of the cap 17 following completionof insertion of the banded end of the package into the cap. As is seenin FIGS. 1 and 4, a typical cam is provided by the rearwardly taperingannular interior surface 54 of the actuator member 49, located to engagethe convex buttons or surfaces 55 on the spring finger portions 56 inresponse to forward over travel of the actuator relative to the jawstructure. As a result, the jaw structure is urged progressivelyinwardly in its stopped position, to permanently deform the cap skirtinwardly at the dimple locations 22. Inward deflection of the jawstructure may be limited by inward collapse of the spring finger portions 56 against the periphery of a rod 57 extending axially within thecarrier.45' and jaw structure 40. The forward portion of the rod istypically recessed at 58 to loosely receive a cap skirt 21 for assuringguiding of the cap forwardly over the banded end portion of the package.

Upon retraction of the actuator member 49 in a lefthand direction to theposition shown in FIG. 1, the stop pin 51 engages the shoulder 59 of thebody 46 to retract the carrier and jaw structure leftwardly. During suchretraction, a return spring 60 contained within the rod 57 urges the rodand its supported carrier body 46 rightwardly relative to the stop pin51 to assure the return of the jaw structure to the outwardly expandedcondition seen in FIG. 1. Retraction of the actuator structure may beefiected by leftward movement of the rod 61 joined to a cap 62 threadedon the actuator sleeve or member 49. A suitable manual or automaticactuator is provided at 63 for operating the rod.

Means is also provided to supply a series of caps 17 for releasableretention between the jaw structure and the banded end of the package,in order that the caps may be sequentially picked up by the jawstructure during reciprocation thereof toward and away from the bandedends of successive packages present as shown in FIG. 1. The cap supplymeans typically includes a cap magazine generally indicated at 64, andmechanism to feed caps in series sequence from the magazine and to theposition shown in FIG. 1, in response to movement of the cap supplymeans between advanced and retracted positions, the former indicated inFIGS. 1 and 7, and the latter seen in FIGS. 4 and 9. An intermediate orpartially retracted condition of the supply means is illustrated in FIG.8.

More specifically, a cap magazine 64 may typically be integral with thecap supply means so as to move therewith between retracted and advancedpositions. Thus, the magazine may include a pair of cap slide rails 65connected at 66 to a feeder slide 67, and presenting transversely spacedand vertically extending side rails or shoulders 68 to receivetherebetween a vertical stack of cap skirts 21, with the cap flanges 24retained between the slide rails 65 and the slide plate 67, FIG.illustrating this construction. The caps are adapted to gravitatedownwardly one at a time to the lowermost position indicated at 68,where the cap is releasably retained between a pair of spring fingers69. In this regard, the spring fingers have turned lower portions 70adapted to spread and release the cap seen at 68 upon upward travel ofthe slide plate 67 when the jaws 41 have been ad- Vanced to receive thecap skirt 21 therebetween. Such release is better seen in FIG. 8 wherethe fingers 69 which are carried at 71 are shown as upwardly retractedaway from the cap.

The slide plate 67 is suitably supported for vertical reciprocation by abase plate 72 and retainers 73 as illustrated in FIG. 10. The mechanismto feed the caps in series sequence from the magazine typically includesupper and lower cap holders generally indicated at 74 and 74a in FIGS.7-9 as comprising stops or pins which are received in recesses 75 and 76in the slide plate 67 for inward and outward displacement relative tothe surface 77 of that plate. The construction is such that the upperholder is displaced during upward retraction of the plate 67 to retainthe stack of caps in the magazine against downward gravitation, whilethe lower holder 74a releases the lower cap for supply to the jawstructure, this functioning being best illustrated in FIG. 9. Typically,the holder pins are spring biased as indicated at 78 and 79, with theinner end 80 of the upper holder subject to engagement with the releasecam 81 on the base plate 72 to displace the upper holder tostackretain-ing position during retraction of the slide plate. At thesame time, a shoulder 82 carried at the inner terminal of the lowerholder pin is subject to engagement with the release cam83 to retractthe lower holder for releasing the lower cap 68 for supply to the jawstructure.

During downward advancement of the slide plate 67, the upper holder 74rides down over the cam 81 and is displaced by the spring 78 to releasea cap from the stack 84 in the magazine to the lower holder 74, which bythat time has been spring urged outwardly from the slide plate surface77 to retain a dropping cap, all as better indicated in FIG. 7.

Summarizing, the steps of the method of operation include supporting thepackage 11 with the banded end thereof presented for processing,advancing a recessed cap to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 in whichthe cap recess is presented toward the package banded end, efl'ectingrelative displacement of the cap from that position toward the packageend to insert the banded end into the cap recess as illustrated in FIG.9, and thereafter deforming or crimping the cap skirt 21 onto the bandto confine it against expansion during package handling. Suchdeformation or crimping typically effects the transmission of forcebetween the band and the cap, placing the cap skirt 21 in hoop tensionwhereby a frictional interlock is maintained between the band and thecap, for holding the cap on the hand during package handling. While theprocess may be carried out manually, FIG. 13 shows a control 86 foroperating the apparatus component in predetermined sequence describedabove. In this regard, a control line 87 leads to an operator 88 for thejaw actuator, a control line 89 leads to an operator 90 for the slideplate 67 of the cap supply means, a control line 91 leads to theoperator 92 for the pressure pad 43, and finally a control line 93 leadsto an operator 94 which sequentially supplies the packages 11 to theposition seen in FIG. 1.

We claim:

1. Apparatus of the character described for use in processing a seriesof packages each comprising a flexible wrap containing a filler, eachpackage including a band holding the Wrap terminal portion in gatheredcondition at an end of the package to block exposure of the filler tothe exterior, said apparatus including first means movable to supply aseries of caps each recessed to receive a wrap terminal portion andband, and other means including jaw structure and jaw actuator structuremovable relative to the packages, said means being operable inpredetermined timed relation to movement of said first means and inrepeated cycles each characterized by initial reception of a cap at thejaw structure followed by insertion of a wrap terminal portion and bandwithin the cap recess and deformation of the cap to confine the bandagainst expansion during package handling, said first means having anadvanced position in which a cap is releasably retained between said jawstructure and said band end of the package for pick-up by the jawstructure during advancement thereof, said first means also having aretracted position in which the jaw structure is advanced relative tosaid package for effecting said cap deformation, a cap magazine, andmechanism to feed caps in series sequence from the magazine for supplybetween said jaw structure and said band end of the package in responseto movement of said first means between advanced and retractedpositions, said magazine and first means moving as a unit for feedingcaps by gravitation from a stack in the magazine, and said mechanismincluding upper and lower cap holders, the upper holder displaced duringretraction of said first means to retain the stack of caps in themagazine while the lower holder releases a lower cap for supply to saidjaw structure, the upper holder displaced during advancement of saidfirst means to release a cap from the stack to the lower holder.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said mechanism includescamming to so displace said holders during said advancement andretraction of said first means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,493,063 1/1950 Frank et a1.53-l28 X 8 2,682,903 7/1954 Gay 99-176 x 2,886,073 5/1959 Beck 99-176 X3,029,665 4/1962 Baugh et al. 53-356 X 5 OTHER REFERENCES 135,39711/1933 Austria.

640,684 7/1950 Great Britain.

TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner.

FRANK E. BAILEY, Examiner.

R. ALVEY, Assistant Examiner.

1. APPARATUS OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED FOR USE IN PROCESSING A SERIESOF PACKAGES EACH COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE WRAP CONTAINING A FILLER, EACHPACKAGE INCLUDING A BAND HOLDING THE WRAP TERMINAL PORTION IN GATHEREDCONDITION AT AN END OF THE PACKAGE TO BLOCK EXPOSURE OF THE FILLER TOTHE EXTERIOR, SAID APPARATUS INCLUDING FIRST MEANS MOVABLE TO SUPPLY ASERIES OF CAPS EACH RECESSED TO RECEIVE A WRAP TERMINAL PORTION ANDBAND, AND OTHER MEANS INCLUDING JAW STRUCTURE AND JAW ACTUATOR STRUCTUREMOVABLE RELATIVE TO THE PACKAGES, SAID MEANS OPERABLE IN PREDETERMINEDTIMED RELATION TO MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST MEANS AND IN REPEATED CYCLESEACH CHARACTERIZED BY INITIAL RECEPTION OF A CAP AT THE JAW STRUCTUREFOLLOWED BY INSERTION OF A WRAP TERMINAL PORTION AND BAND WITHIN THE CAPRECESS AND DEFORMATION OF THE CAP TO CONFINE THE BAND AGAINST EXPANSIONDURING PACKAGE HANDLING, SAID FIRST MEANS HAVING AN ADVANCED POSITION INWHICH A CAP IS RELEASABLE RETAINED BETWEEN SAID JAW STRUCTURE AND SAIDBAND END OF THE PACKAGE FOR PICK-UP BY THE JAW STRUCTURE DURINGADVANCEMENT THEREOF, SAID FIRST MEANS ALSO HAVING A RETRACTED POSITIONIN WHICH THE JAW STRUCTURE IS ADVANCED RELATIVE